ubuntu-desktop is a meta-package used to install/upgrade all the application of ubuntu in one go.
You can safely remove it. See http://packages.ubuntu.com/dapper/base/ubuntu-desktop -- apt tools remove upline dependencies https://launchpad.net/bugs/92546 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
